Letter: France's health care

Doctors aren't paid more for running extra tests or prescribing expensive drugs. Doctors are given bonuses for helping patients lose weight and quit smoking. They treat things before they become major problems, in France.

Now that it will be required for every American to purchase health insurance or pay the mandated fee, why don't we just cut out the middle man (insurance companies) and dump our health care system for a better one.

Now that it will be required for every American to purchase health insurance or pay the mandated fee, why don't we just cut out the middle man (insurance companies) and dump our health care system for a better one.

Most studies agree that France has the best health care system in the world. In their system, patients pay for about 30 percent of doctor's visits and less for surgeries, pregnancies and other medical expenses. The rest is paid for by taxes. Their citizens can choose to use private insurance for their health care or as a second insurance to cover the gap. Doctors aren't paid more for running extra tests or prescribing expensive drugs. Doctors are given bonuses for helping patients lose weight and quit smoking. They treat things before they become major problems.

Yes, their doctors and nurses are paid less, but they also receive free secondary education and many other benefits. Their health care costs per capita are about half of the United States. They live longer, have lower disability and chronic illnesses and rate their own satisfaction with their health care system much higher than Americans. This is what I want for my family. How about you?

Popular Comments

To Michael Hernandez: The study which ranked French healthcare #1 was done by
the World Health Organization. The same study ranked the U.S. #37. The Deseret
News does not permit links, but I'm sure you can find it easily.

8:25 a.m. July 5, 2012

Top comment

pragmatistferlife

salt lake city, utah

If ideologies could be dropped for just a minute and health care looked at
objectively, we wouldn't have the ACA, but we certainly wouldn't have
the system we've had for the past 70 years. To have my access to health
care and a
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8:04 a.m. July 5, 2012

Top comment

atl134

Salt Lake City, UT

We spend 15% of GDP a year on healthcare, while France spends about 10%. Anyone
who thinks France (or any other European nations healthcare systems) are
absurdedly expensive and would ruin us financially if we used it, I'd love
to know what you
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